Please Note: These initial chapters serve as an introduction to the story. As such, chapters will increase in length as the story continues. Also, this story is slash and will contain scenes that are homoerotic in nature, if you don't like it, why not try one of my other stories?
Three
"It's good to have you home my boy," Dumbledore raised his glass in silent toast to Harry, as they sat ensconced in his office before the fire.
"Surprisingly, it's good to be home Sir," Harry raised his own drink at the Headmaster. "You must know I had some trepidations about returning, I still do of course, but returning to the castle truly feels like coming home."
"Ah Hogwarts, capturing at least one lost boy a generation and ensnarling her in her grips forever more," the Headmaster chuckled.
"I'm sorry sir?"
"Do not be offended dear boy! It's a very prestigious club you've joined! Myself of course, Filius, Hagrid, Severus, your young friend Neville, all at one time young men unable to resist the lure of their first home. All with, you'll excuse my lack of modesty by including myself in this group Harry, tremendous potential, but happy to spend their days educating the subsequent generations. For those of us Harry, Hogwarts truly is home."
"I hadn't thought about it quite like that Sir," Harry swirled his brandy around his glass thoughtfully. "But you're right, Hogwart's really is the first place I was ever happy, the one place I can truly think of spending the rest of my day's."
"That is a troublesome thought!" Dumbledore exclaimed, with somewhat more solemnity then Harry thought the occasion called for. "I may have petitioned for you to return to Hogwarts this year Harry, but I should very much hope that you will no longer call the school your home when you reach, say, my rather advanced age."
"Why not?" Harry asked, imagining for a moment sitting in this very office in a hundred years or so, potentially as eccentric as Dumbledore.
"Despite all of your remarkable accomplishments thus far, you are still a very young man Harry," Dumbledore explained gently. "It is perhaps my most fervent desire that one day you may outgrow Hogwarts. Find love, marry, become a father even."
"I'm not entirely sure all that's in my future Sir," Harry did his best to ignore the uncomfortable skip in his heart at the mention of a family. It had long been his most fervent, and most likely to remain unfulfilled, desire.
"I shall refrain from reminding you of your, shall we say, less than satisfactory Divination marks when you were a student here," Dumbledore teased gently. "We never know exactly what the future holds in store for us my boy, the fact that you are here for this conversation is testament alone to that."
Harry finished his drink and, thanking the Headmaster, struggled to his feet, his old injury aching with a dull intensity that Harry was used to after so many years.
"Your leg still bothers you my boy?" Dumbledore had not missed Harry's difficulties in coming to his feet.
"I believe it always will Headmaster," Harry sighed, absently rubbing a hand over his pained thigh. "The Healers say theirs nothing more to be done. Just potions to manage the pain."
"I recommend you speak with Severus in that instance," Dumbledore said thoughtfully. "I'm sure our resident Potions Master would be more than happy to tailor a pain potion to suit your specific needs."
"There's no need to bother Professor Snape," Harry disagreed, hovering in the doorway.
"I had thought that, after your combined efforts to bring down Voldemort, that you and Severus had put aside your differences Harry?" Dumbledore sounded vaguely disapproving.
"We have! That is to say...we did. There's no need to involve Professor Snape Headmaster, truly."
"Very well Harry, I shall trust your judgment on this matter. I look forward to seeing you at our first staff meeting of the year in the morning before the student's arrive."
"Goodnight sir."